DonTopaz

The key to getting the right subway exit is to check the wall signs as the first thing to do when you get off the train. At every station, there's one or more yellow wall signs that lists multiple nearby destinations (sites, department stores, hotels, office buildings) and the exit for each one. If you instead follow an exit sign, you could be doomed as you later discover that there were several exits.

After you find the right subway exit, the next step is to find a map of the area -- you might already have one (for example, from the web site of the place you're headed), and there's usually one near the actual subway exit. Keep in mind that, except for the major boulevards, most streets in Tokyo don't have names. So, rather than finding a place by street name, you find a place by its relation to other places. Maps often shows easy-to-recognize stores (7-11s or McDonalds) along with your destination, so your directions might be "2nd right after the 7-11" rather than "right turn on Flummox St."

OK, so it's not what you're used to, but that's why you're going in the first place.

=======================

And a word about unplanned explorations, which can be the best part of a trip. Tokyo's back streets can be among the most interesting anywhere, especially in some of the less commercial neighborhoods. You never -- ever -- have to be concerned about inadvertently stumbling into a bad neighborhood. If a street looks interesting, head there.

europe2011

bookmarking

hawaiiantraveler

Also do not assume that the map shown to you on the subway wall is like every other map in the world with North being at the top of the map. It usually is not north at the top unless that is how the neighborhood looks after you leave the exit....confused? You should and will be

Don, Flummox St.....how apropos.

Aloha!

Craig

I think I will toss the great Tokyo itinerary advice on this thread and just plan on getting lost. As it is our first stop in Japan, the jet lag should help...

hawaiiantraveler

Matcha aisu kurīmu!! Oishii!!!

Craig

Yes, gotta try some of that green tea ice cream...

hawaiiantraveler

Craig, getting lost in Tokyo is really kind of fun if you can take things like that in stride. We have found some gems in many areas of Tokyo by getting lost. The problem is always trying to find them a second time usually leads to getting lost again and finding new things and places. Parks and small shrines and temples seem to pop out in the strangest neighborhoods. If lost just keep walking and looking for a subway hole or walk towards the tallest building in sight. It'll turn up sooner than later,lol.

I am constantly looking for an "out of this world" Tonkatsu restaurant we have twice found now inside the bowels of Shinjuku station. Sometimes I can find it and sometimes not. This is a good little article about a Canadian who lived in Tokyo for a few years and loved getting lost.....

http://opencityprojects.com/blog/aes...lost-in-tokyo/

Aloha!

rhkkmk

green tea ice cream= not so great, imo..

DonTopaz

One recourse <s>if</s> when you get lost in a Japanese city is to just stand on the corner with a plaintive face, looking totally bewildered and confused, maybe just about to burst into tears. It's almost certain that someone will soon stop and try to help. This is not a civic feature that I've found to be the case in New York or Paris or Hong Kong.

It's very disappointing that ht-san doesn't know how to find the ton-katsu joint in Shinjuku station. That info is required, please. I did enjoy a very fine katsu-don (fried pork rice bowl) at Toraya yesterday -- anyone looking for a very good, low-key, Japanese resto in the Boston area would do well to stop by there. And of the so many good reasons to have ice cream, green tea flavor isn't one.

emd3

Mrwunrfl, Tanjoubi Omedetou !!!

hawaiiantraveler

Happy birthday Bill!!!!

Aloha!

Sue_xx_yy

On the subject of orientation ( a very important one, thanks for the discussion!) - on google maps I can see, in the vicinity of Shinjuku station, some logos of businesses that are familiar (golden arches, 7-11) but also ones that are not. For example, what business has a logo with a yellowish orange background, overlaid by a reddish orange circle with a blue dot in the middle of it?

Better yet, please can someone direct me to how to find the key for google map symbols. I've been through google map 'help' and can't seem to find this.

Oh, and I understand it's mrwunrfl's birthday? Many happy returns!

hawaiiantraveler

That would be the Matsuya Food Company logo. No key needed just click on the logos and the company name and information pops out.

Aloha!

hawaiiantraveler

Click on any building for that matter and the info should pop out

Kavey

Happy Birthday MrWunrfl!

Sue_xx_yy

Thank you hawaiian for that tip. I can't believe I overlooked such an obvious solution to the 'where is the Google map legend' question! The answer often pops up in Japanese, but my trusty Google translator comes to the rescue.

mrwunrfl

Thanks! emd3, a belated tanjoubi omedetou to you too. I was thinking of you on Saturday.

lordsakana

Ginza is my favorite part of Tokyo. Be sure to get off the wide main streets to avoid the busloads of poorly dressed tourists, and venture down the small alleys. This is where you'll encounter locals and quiet shops, and give yourself plenty of time to stop for drinks along the way at any number of fascinating bars and lounges.

Be sure to check out the basement level in the Mitsukoshi department store to see the multitude of food vendors and extremely ornate desserts.

hawaiiantraveler

fishlord,

What are your favorite Ginza restaurants? We will be there this fall and needed some new haunts.

Aloha!